This is me first official build for 2020 and be t' third o' t' Estes 13mm powered rockets in their current catalog that I will build. Unlike t' last two builds this one should be a little easier as I don't have t' cut side tubes. Well, blow me down! Production date stamp is 12/03/15.

Estes Puma (7256)

Once again this kit starts with t' motor mount and again if you're all thumbs as I tend t' be at times, ya bilge rat, a pair o' tweezers will help with this section o' t' build as thar are 8 tiny parts that need t' be glued on t' end o' t' motor mount. On a side note here: Check t' green centerin' rin' that you split before gluin' it on t' ensure proper length for wood pieces. Ya scallywag! After gluin' t' white markin' rin' on all eight pieces o' wood were glued on. Avast! (I left a small gap that I needed t' fill with putty).

Motor mount

After cuttin' out all parts (G-J) I dry fit them all together t' see how hard they were goin' t' be t' paint and decided t' color them first before assembly.

Win' pod parts

Win' pods glued together

OMG. I can't believe I'm so far behind.  Ok so I glued together t' three win' pieces and t' two tail pieces and set them aside t' dry. Avast, me proud beauty! After allowin' ample time for them t' dry I then paper coated them. Avast! I also applied paper t' part "J" o' t' win' pod.

Wing, arrr, Conards & Tail prep

I first glued t' tail onto t' back win' and allowed it t' dry. Next I glued t' win' pods on. After they were dry I cut and glued t' three pieces o' wood dowel "O" in place. Begad! While they were dryin' I took t' body tube and marked it as instructed as this was t' next step in t' instructions.

Win' & Tail assembly

Next I glued t' win' on. Well, blow me down! After allowin' some dryin' time I attached t' front strip "W" t' t' tail and body tube. Once it was dried I attached t' canards and set t' rocket aside t' allow everythin' t' dry. After that I glued on t' launch lugs.

Win' & Tail glued on

Canards, me hearties, & Launch Lugs glued on

T' final two steps were t' glue t' engine mount in and attach t' nose cone and recovery system. Avast! Blimey! All that is left now is t' prime and paint when t' weather warms up this spring.

Engine Mount & NC installed

Ready for primmer

Weather got up t' 53 degrees today so I decided t' take a chance and apply t' primmer. Aye aye! Turned out OK. I tried a test piece with some black paint but it started t' fog up as its nay warm enough so will have t' wait for warmer weather t' do t' color painting. Begad! I also noted that t' black marker keeps bleedin' through t' white primer on t' win' pods and I've hit them with four coats o' primer so far. Begad! Good thin' they are gettin' painted black. 

Rocket primed

Painted t' nose cone canopy white yesterday and then put rocket aside for t' day t' dry completely. Ya scallywag! Today I masked off t' rest o' t' rocket in prep for main color. Avast! May have wasted me time as t' weather man is callin' for rain for t' next four days. Avast, me proud beauty! Oh well, with this mandatory stay at home order from t' President because o' t' Coronavirus I have lots o' time t' finish it.

NC Canopy painted white

Masked for main color 

Well it finally warmed up enough t' paint and I have five rockets that are primed and ready. I found a can of Dupli-Color Metalcast Anodized Surface Color System red paint and decided t' go with it. I also decided nay t' go with t' recommended chrome base and just sprayed it over t' white primer. Didn't turn out t' bad except I got a paint run on t' left back end o' rocket. After givin' t' rocket a day t' dry I tried t' sand it out but nay much luck. Ahoy! Went back over t' red t' try and blend it in and then gave t' rocket another day t' dry. I then removed all masking tape. I then went back over all paint and did some touch up with a brush. At this point  I also used a brush and some black paint t' paint t' win' pods and t' tail o' t' engine mount. I then gave t' whole thin' one last day t' dry.

Red paint applied

All paint touched up

T' decals for this build were a pain t' cut out and a bit o' a fuss t' align properly and apply but look good once on. Begad! After givin' t' rocket some time t' air dry I then clear coated it with Dupli-Color Clear EFFEX. Arrr! After givin' it yet another day t' air dry I then installed t' parachute as per instructions. Blimey! Rocket is now ready for launch.

Decals applied & clear coated